Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia Virginiana

Design with this plant

Overview

Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is an elegant, small deciduous tree, reaching 10-20 feet in height. Noted for its fragrant, creamy-white flowers blooming in late spring to summer, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, acidic soils. Its glossy green leaves with silvery undersides provide a striking visual, while red fruit attracts birds. Hardy in Zones 5-10, it’s an exquisite choice for mixed borders or focal points.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 7–9Type TreeClimate Temperate
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — is a versatile addition to any garden or landscape design; hardy in Zones 5-10, it‚Äôs an exquisite, image 56

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
7–9

Shape & size

Mature height
12–35 Ft.
Mature width
12–35 Ft.

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Magnoliaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (119)

Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — this low-maintenance species is resistant to pests and diseases; the Sweetbay Magnolia prefers acidic, image 68
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — The leaves themselves are slender; the Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), image 63
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is an elegant, small deciduous tree, reaching 10-20 feet in height
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — can reach heights of 10 to 35 feet with a spread of 10 to 30 feet; it tolerates wet conditions, image 82
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade exposure
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade exposure; it thrives in full sun to partial shade and, image 66
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — Hardy in Zones 5-10, it‚Äôs an exquisite choice for mixed borders or focal points; is a versatile addition to any
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — Its glossy green leaves with silvery undersides provide a striking visual, while red fruit attracts, image 52
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — Hardy in Zones 5-10, it‚Äôs an exquisite choice for mixed borders or focal points; is a versatile, image 53
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — is a versatile addition to any garden or landscape design; hardy in Zones 5-10, it‚Äôs an exquisite, image 80
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — showcasing a moderate growth rate; creamy-white flowers blooming in late spring to summer
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — airy texture to the landscape.<br><br>Suitable for USDA zones 5 through 10; each bloom spreads 2 to 3, image 64
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — airy texture to the landscape.<br><br>Suitable for USDA zones 5 through 10
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — creamy-white flowers blooming in late spring to summer; showcasing a moderate growth rate, image 50
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — the Sweetbay Magnolia prefers acidic; this low-maintenance species is resistant to pests and diseases, image 65
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — tree with white blooms; which turn to a pale yellow in autumn
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — It tolerates wet conditions; can reach heights of 10 to 35 feet with a spread of 10 to 30 feet, image 91
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — ensuring a resilient presence in the designed space; tree for full or half
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — the Sweetbay Magnolia prefers acidic
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — which turn to a pale yellow in autumn; tree with white blooms
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — Hardy in Zones 5-10, it‚Äôs an exquisite choice for mixed borders or focal points; is a versatile, image 77
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — tree for full or half; ensuring a resilient presence in the designed space
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — tree with white blooms; which turn to a pale yellow in autumn, image 71
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) — well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade exposure; it thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist
Photographs by 14 contributors

Related plants

Alta‚Ñ¢ Southern Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora 'Alta') — The Alta‚Ñ¢ Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Alta') is a sleek

Shrub

Alta‚Ñ¢ Southern Magnolia

Magnolia Grandiflora 'Alta'

FullUSDA 6–10
Banana Shrub (Magnolia Figo) — compact magnolia with a mature height of 6-10 feet and spread of 4-6 feet

Broadleaf Evergreen

Banana Shrub

Magnolia Figo

FullUSDA 8–10
Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia Macrophylla) — Native to the southeastern United States; reaching an impressive 20 to 30 inches in length and up to 12, image 81

Shrub

Bigleaf Magnolia

Magnolia Macrophylla

FullUSDA 5–9
Black Tulip Magnolia (Magnolia 'Black Tulip') — known for its deep burgundy

Tree

Black Tulip Magnolia

Magnolia 'Black Tulip'

FullUSDA 6–10
Centennial Star Magnolia (Magnolia Stellata 'Centennial') — The 'Centennial' Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata 'Centennial') is a standout spring-blooming shrub

Shrub

Centennial Star Magnolia

Magnolia Stellata 'Centennial'

FullUSDA 5–10
Cucumber Tree (Magnolia Acuminata) — with a spread of 25 to 35 feet at maturity; oblong leaves and a late spring to early summer blooming period

Tree

Cucumber Tree

Magnolia Acuminata

FullUSDA 7–9